These are simple features ( including frames, quadrant colors, photo effects like snow) that add sophistication and professionalism to a finished product. This is a good addition to a Photoshop unit. It doesn’t take much time to teach and its wow factor is off the charts with students.

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Here are 50 animal websites for grades K-5, everything from Dinosaurs to the wildly popular Wolfquest (click here for updates):

1. 3D Toad—3D science study
2. Adaptations—game
3. Animal Adaptations
4. Animal games
5. Animal Games II
6. Animal games II
7. Animal Games III
8. Animal Habitats
9. Animal homes
10. Animal homes
11. Animal Homes II
12. Animal Homes III
13. Animal puzzle games–cool
14. Animals
15. Animals—San Diego Zoo Videos
16. Barnaby and Bellinda Bear
17. Bembo’s Zoo
18. Build a habitat
19. Build a habitat II
20. Butterfies and habitats
21. Classify animals
22. Cockroach—virtual
23. Dino collection
24. Dino Fossils then and now
25. Dino Games
26. Dino Games II
27. Dinosaurs
28. Dinosaurs II
29. Dinosaurs IV
30. Dinosaurs V
31. Dinosaurs VI
32. Endangered species collection
33. Food chain
34. Food Chains
35. Frog habitat
36. Google Earth—African Animals
37. Google Earth—endangered animals
38. Habitat Game
39. Habitats—create one
40. Habitats—match them
41. Life Cycles
42. Life—the Game–colorful
43. Ocean Currents—video from NASA
44. Ocean Safari
45. Ocean Tracks
46. Video Safari
47. Virtual Cockroach
48. Virtual Farm
49. Virtual Zoo
50. Wolfquest—simulation–DL

(more…)

Click for Updated List

1. Adobe Spark–suite of free tools for creating images, videos, and simple web pages; quick; great for Chromebooks
2. Animoto
3. Canva video creator–How-to video by Richard Byrne
4. Chromebook–use Chromebook’s native video creation tool; watch this video on how; no add-ons or apps.
5. EdPuzzle–edit, quizzify, and add your voice to any video
6. Go animate
7. Headliner–browser-based video editor; ed version; freemium
8. Moovly–free or fee, animated videos
9. PlayPosit–interactive videos
10. Spark video — works on Chromebooks and iOS; add personal narrative, images. Use a story template or start from scratch; creates as slides
11. Unscreen–remove background in videos for free
12. Video Editor--free with Windows 10
13. Vimeo
14. Voki
15. WeVideo–collaborative; record on mobile devices; edit on desktop; works great on Chromebooks
16. Wideo–create videos online
17. Windows 10 organic video editor–how-to video to turn photos into video by Richard Byrne

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Top Grant Sources to Bring Technology to Under-Resourced Classrooms

In today’s classrooms, technology is more than a supplement — it’s a necessity. From digital literacy tools to interactive learning platforms, access to reliable technology helps level the educational playing field. However, for many under-resourced schools, affording updated tech remains a major hurdle. Fortunately, a range of grants is available to help educators bring powerful digital tools into their classrooms.

This guide outlines top grant sources dedicated to supporting technology in education, with a special focus on schools in economically disadvantaged areas.

The Realities of Under-Resourced Communities

Before diving into funding sources, it’s important to acknowledge the broader context many schools face. In under-resourced communities, limited school budgets often coincide with other challenges, such as food insecurity, lack of transportation, and especially a shortage of stable, affordable housing.

Housing insecurity, including overcrowding, frequent moves, or even homelessness, can disrupt a student’s ability to attend school consistently, concentrate in class, or complete homework at home. For many students, school may be the only place where they have access to reliable internet, a quiet space to learn, or even a working device. When families are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads, it becomes even more critical that schools can offer strong in-class technology support.

This is where technology grants can make a major impact. By equipping classrooms with up-to-date devices and digital tools, educators can provide a more stable and equitable learning environment — one that compensates, in part, for the challenges students face outside the school walls. (more…)

Plan Ahead: Set Yourself Up for a Career in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Regardless of where you are in your life or at what stage, if you have a dream that you want to achieve, you can start working toward that immediately. If your dreams include working as an electrical and computer engineer, then you can start at any stage of your education process to set yourself up for success.

This starts with taking useful courses whilst still in high school, so that you have to right credentials to get into the university you like, then it’s getting used to online learning, just in case you want to visit an online university and then understanding the future of what you need beyond a BA undergraduate degree like a masters. So, without further ado, it’s time to jump into this topic.

Pick the Right Subjects and Do Your Research

One of the biggest ways to set yourself up for a hopeful career in electrical and computer engineering is by picking the right subjects while you’re still in high school. This often includes IT classes, science, advanced mathematics and economics or technology, whichever your school offers. This will give you the right foundations on which to build toward a degree in this field.

If you have passed the stage of school and you’re simply interested in this degree, there are many things you can do as well. You can spend some time looking at complementary videos on YouTube, for example, that explain the core elements of computers, mathematics and coding, just so that you can put one foot in front of the other as you continue to learn.

Furthermore, you need to set yourself up for success by doing your research and finding the education that suits your needs best. This will be further outlined below.

Have Online Education Systems Replaced Traditional Lectures?

Online education has certainly become a lot bigger and more significant in the market over the past years. This is something that you should keep in mind when looking for where you want to study, as you can find an electrical and computer engineering online degree that gives you access to excellent information, whilst staying at home and being able to engage from all over the world. Digital learning is its own niche and those who have never done it before may not be aware of all the different benefits and challenges, so keep reading to learn more.

Benefits of Online Learning

One of the biggest benefits of online learning is the fact that you can do it from anywhere in the world. This means that you are not forced to stay in one area or classroom for the three or four years that it takes you to get your degree, allowing for a lot more mobility.

Another benefit is the fact that you can access education from all over the world. This means that if you’re in a remote part of a country, you do not need to leave all you know behind in search of excellent education; you can now easily find it online. This creates a saving as well, as you do not need to relocate in pursuit of education, which was once often the case. Also, you don’t have to spend hours commuting to and from an educational establishment, which is a plus.

Furthermore, you’re able to work at the same time, if you can handle it. By visiting an online course, you can slot the hours you need to study when you have the time. You’re not forced to be present between certain hours, giving you more flexibility in your day to do what you need, such as having a job.

Challenges of Online Learning

As with anything good, there are some drawbacks or challenges that you must consider. One of the biggest is self-efficacy and motivation. You have to have your head screwed on right so that you take the responsibility to learn and do as you need to. You have to manage your time well and constantly motivate yourself because no one else will. In online classrooms, you might have some interaction with fellow classmates and lecturers, however, it’s all through a screen and no one is there in person to push you to finish your essays or assignments. This means that the onus falls on you to complete everything.

The Future of Electrical and Computer Engineering

As with most courses, you start with a BA undergraduate degree. You then move on to your master’s, which is where you can pick between many different specialities. This will allow you to find the niche that you think suits you best. Perhaps you are more inclined toward management, in which case, you could learn more about engineering management as opposed to hands-on engineering if you think that you would do well as a leader.

You can always get in touch with the student and subject advisors of the establishment so that they can give you a better idea of the courses you can take and how you can build your curriculum in a way that suits you best.

Well, as you can see from the above, the world of education is changing. With the introduction of technology, things are moving quickly toward online learning and this development comes with certain benefits and challenges. It’s up to you to navigate them with the tools you have at your disposal so that you can earn that degree you’ve worked so hard toward.

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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Here are a bunch of online resources for Screenshots, Screencasts, Screenshares, Videocasts, and a Lesson Plan click here for updates to the list):

Screencasts

1. Chromebook native tool--video on how to use
2. Educreations–whiteboard and screencasts
3. Hippo–extension for Chrome; screencast, voice, webcam recorder
4. Icecream Apps–screencasts and screenshots
5. Loom–Chrome extension; record your desktop, an individual tab, and or your webcam
6. My Screen Recorder–screencasts everything; downloaded software; fee
7. QuickTime–can record a movie from your camera, or record the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. It can also record audio from a microphone or record the screen of your Mac.
8. RecordCast–free, online, no dowload, screencast or screenshot; download file afterward
9. Screencastify–Chrome web extension; for Chromebooks and more
10. ScreenPal — for desktops, online, Chromebooks, and iOS
11. Snagit
12. VidYard Go Video–Screen, voice and webcam recorder; great for Chromebooks

Screen Share

Screenshots

1. Grab–included in OS X as a screenshot utility
2. iPad: hold Home button and power button at same time
3. Mac: Command Shift 3 for a full screenshot; Command Shift 4 for a partial screenshot
4. Nimbus–a browser app that takes screenshots with robust editing tools (free)
5. RecordCast–free, online, no dowload, screencast or screenshot; download file afterward
6. Snagit–as a download (for a fee) or a free iOS and Chrome app
7. Surface tablet: hold down volume and Windows button
8. Windows Snipping Tool–included in Windows

VideoCast

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Homeschooling Awareness Month is celebrated annually in May to promote the benefits of homeschooling and educate the public about this viable educational option. It has been recognized since around 2010, gaining traction in the 1970s. The initiative highlights how homeschooling allows for personalized education, flexibility, and parental involvement in a child’s learning, often leading to well-rounded development. Key points include:

• Purpose: to dispel myths (i.e., homeschoolers lack socialization or academic rigor) and showcase advantages like customized curricula, flexible schedules, and the ability to teach life skills (i.e., budgeting, cooking). It also connects homeschooling families and raises awareness about available resources.
• Activities: Families and organizations are encouraged to share their homeschooling experiences on social media using hashtags like #HomeschoolAwarenessMonth. Many groups offer free resources like webinars, curriculum discounts, or local meetups.
• Benefits: Homeschooling promotes learning in diverse settings (libraries, museums, parks), fosters hands-on experiences, and avoids the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional schools. It’s also noted for safety, especially in addressing concerns like bullying.

Why is homeschooling important (more…)

Flowers spark creativity and learning in classrooms. Today, the Ask a Tech Teacher international team is exploring how flowers inspire students in STEM, art, and ecology, how a bouquet can enhance tech-driven education and classroom joy. Learn how they blend with tech tools and can brighten educational spaces. 

Petals and Pixels: Flowers in Tech-Savvy Classrooms

Imagine a classroom where sunflowers nod on a windowsill during a coding lesson, or a science lab where students dissect daisies while a tablet app tracks their findings. Flowers bring a vibrant energy to education, bridging nature and technology in ways that captivate young minds. They inspire projects, from digital art to ecological studies, and foster a welcoming space for learning. They connect abstract concepts to tangible beauty, making lessons stick. To weave that magic into any classroom, anyone can order a bouquet of flowers and have it delivered, ideal for sparking inspiration or gifting to a teacher.

Flowers fit seamlessly into tech-driven education. They fuel curiosity in STEM experiments, add depth to creative assignments, and soften the hum of devices with natural charm. They’re tools for engagement, helping students explore science, art, and community through hands-on and digital means, all while keeping the classroom lively. (more…)

Something broke in American education these past years. Too many students don’t reach grade-level metrics and no one can agree on the cause. I went out to our international contributors for ideas. They had a lot, but this one I thought I’d cover first:

Is the Traditional Classroom Becoming Obsolete?

You might argue that the traditional classroom still plays an essential role in education, but the rapid growth of online and hybrid models suggests otherwise. As students increasingly seek flexible and interactive learning experiences, the conventional approach may not meet their needs any longer. This shift raises critical questions about the future of education: How will teachers adapt their roles? What innovations might redefine the learning environment? Understanding these dynamics could reshape your perspective on what effective education looks like today.

The Rise of Online Learning

Online learning has increasingly become a staple in education, with studies showing that over 30% of students now prefer it over traditional classroom settings. This shift raises questions about the efficacy and long-term viability of conventional education methods. You might wonder why this preference exists. Data indicates that online learning offers flexibility that traditional classrooms often can’t match.

Students can learn at their own pace, tailoring the experience to their unique needs, which can enhance engagement and retention.

However, you should also consider the challenges that accompany this rise. Not all online platforms deliver quality education, and the lack of face-to-face interaction can hinder social development and collaborative skills. Reports highlight that many students struggle with self-discipline in an online environment, leading to higher dropout rates compared to traditional settings.

Moreover, issues like digital divide—where not all students have equal access to technology—raise concerns about equity in education.

Ultimately, while online learning’s popularity is undeniable, it’s essential to analyze its limitations and implications critically. As you explore this educational landscape, understanding both the advantages and drawbacks will be vital in determining the future of learning. (more…)

New America has a good overview on raising kids with tech:

Navigating How and When to Use Tech When Teaching Young Children

Take-Aways from Our Two-Part Series Focused On Tablets in Pre-K Through Third Grade

Early childhood educators make thousands of decisions each day. Among them are decisions around technology use with their young learners, which are too often shaped by policies and pedagogies that lag behind the latest research and the abundance of available options.

Read on… (more…)